Judge, 1931-11-21 · page 8 of 36
Judge — November 21, 1931 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This satirical piece titled "The Cigarette of the Future" mocks early 20th-century regulatory impulses and celebrity culture. The top cartoon shows a judge confronting what appears to be a chaotic street scene, with the caption "What d'ya mean you wanta see my license? I was only walkin' across the street!"—satirizing excessive bureaucratic licensing requirements. The main article parodies a proposed future where cigarette manufacturing would be overseen by prominent motion picture stars and throat specialists, with elaborate inspections and "Adam's Apple Week" promotions. The illustrations show exaggerated medical supervision and celebrity endorsement culture. The satire targets both progressive-era regulation (seen as absurdly intrusive) and the emerging celebrity endorsement industry, suggesting these "improvements" would become ridiculous when applied to everyday commerce.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE “Whatdya mean you wanta see my license? I was only walkin’ across the street!”. THE CIGARETTE OF THE FUTURE ue cigarette of the future will be manufactured with the utmost care and under the personal supervision of a committee of prominent motion picture stars, who will also endorse the finished product. ‘The stars will receive no for this. Each cigarette will be rolled individually and then pass under the scrutiny of an inspector, and if okayed will then be individu: wrapped in cellophane and carefully placed in the pa : which will then be sealed in open view of a committee of prominent doctors. Then, under police escort, to assure their perfect protection, they will he delivered to the various local shops. Instead of the present r store clerk, these shops will be conducted by prominent throat specialists, of high standing. When a customer comes in to buy a pack of butts, he will receive, absolutely free of charge, a pro- fessional discourse on throat irritants and kindred sub jects. This lecture will be illustrated by lantern slides. If the customer so desires, he can have his throat tested, or arrange for a consultation at his convenience. The advertising gn of the cigarette company will be an ambitious onc. The President and the Governors of the various and several sovereign states will be asked to set aside a certain weck, that week to be designated as Adam's Apple Weck. Everyone will be expected to observe that period by being as kind and considerate as possible to their Adam's apples. Ture will be a national contest and the contestant with the most perfect Adam’s apple will be known as Mister Adam's Apple. In addition to this honor he will be given a movie con tract calling for his appearance in a picture concerning the romance of the cigarette industry and he will have a chance thus to become a star and eventually one of such magnitude that he will have the opportunity of endorsing Brice Praven—Gawd! Was I vulnerable! a cigarette himself. —R. C. O'Brien comicbooks.com